A family’s pet cat died and an apartment unit sustained heavy damage in a fire in the early hours Thursday in the downtown Chilliwack area.
The Chilliwack Fire Department reported that at approximately 12:25 a.m. on Nov. 7 a call came in about a structure fire in the 8900-block of Mary Street.
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Fire crews from Halls 1, 2, 4 and 6 responded to the scene and upon arrival discovered heavy smoke and flames showing from an adjacent shed with flames quickly spreading to a five-unit, two-storey apartment building.
The shed and the upper floor of one of the apartment units sustained heavy fire damage.
The remaining four units of the apartment building were re-occupied by 3 a.m.
The Chilliwack Emergency Support Services team was deployed to the scene and set-up an emergency reception centre in a nearby church, where the team provided short-term essential needs to the displaced occupants.
There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported at this fire, however the family’s pet unfortunately perished in the fire. Assistant Chief Chris Wilson said the department was not disclosing what kind of animal died in the fire out of respect for the family who were distraught.
Among those offering sympathy on Facebook, however, was one person telling people that the pet that died was a cat.
The cause of this fire is currently under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Officials.
@PeeJayAitch
paul.henderson@theprogress.com
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